Back-to-school season is an exciting time for students, but for many families it also brings difficult financial decisions. As the cost of everyday essentials continues to rise, purchasing school supplies can stretch already tight budgets while schools and teachers work with limited resources to prepare for the year ahead.
Through its annual back-to-school supply drive, held throughout July, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is bringing together schools, businesses, volunteers and community partners to help students begin the school year prepared and ready to learn while supporting their success long after the first day of school.
Preparing Schools for a New Year
The work begins before students return to class.
Each summer, United Way Hands On partners with schools across Central Alabama to prepare campuses for the first day of school.
Beautification projects create cleaner, more welcoming learning environments where students can feel proud of the place they learn each day.
United Way also works with schools and community partners in a back-to-school drive to help ensure students have the supplies they need to start the school year prepared and ready to learn.
Community-wide backpack drives, financial contributions and donations of new school supplies help provide students with classroom essentials while easing the financial burden on families and teachers.
Supporting Students Throughout the School Year
A shining example is United Way’s inCommunity partnership with Fairfield City Schools.
The partnership began in 2019 with a focus on expanding access to school-based mental health services. Since then, it has continued to address a wide range of student and family needs.
“United Way pushed for each district to have a mental health coordinator. The legislature ended up funding that project, and now every school district has a mental health coordinator. The partnership blossomed from there and formed a relationship from that project,” said Dr. Regina Thompson, Superintendent of Fairfield City Schools.
Today, the partnership includes school-based food pantries, mentoring through Miles College, career exploration opportunities with Alabama Power, Peer Helpers and manufacturing education that introduces students to construction, robotics and other career pathways.
Together, these efforts help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
Building Stronger Communities Together
Preparing students for the school year is a community effort, bringing together schools, families, businesses, volunteers and community organizations to support children.
“We always ask, ‘How do we better engage the community in understanding the needs of our students?’ I think this has been the best way to do it,” said Dr. Thompson.
This blog originally appeared in Bham Now’s “Help local students before school starts—backpack drives + more opportunities.”